A TIME TO SPEAK AND

A TIME TO BE QUIET

This is something that I have been really praying about alot lately. I have been known to talk alot. Meaning I am always full of words. HOWEVER----- I want to speak when the Lord directs me and be quiet when I need to also. Sometimes I catch myself learning how to carry on a conversation all over again. We can get in the middle of gossip and not even realize we are there. An example of that is when we ask for a prayer request. We can say something like sister sally needs prayer to overcome depression. While that is fine in its place, the next person may say it like this " did you know they were asking prayer for sis sally for depression." then begin talking and not even realize, but then say it was all in the name of prayer. Well gossip is gossip and it is wrong.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
We need to realize that we will have to account for every idle word that comes out of our mouths.

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

I dont want to be found guilty of idle words or gossip. I want to edify my brothers and sisters in the Lord. If i am going to slip up and do something to cause my soul to end up in hell, it wont be over this, I am not going to go to church and try to live the best way that I can , yet fall into something so easily as this.
A dear brother testified at church the other night that he was studying How Holy of a God we serve. He said that when he compared himself to the Lord, that there was no way that he could ever talk about someone again.

That is so true.

James 3:5-10 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

These scriptures really stick out in my mind the most, we are so guilty of boasting, well Look at me, see what i have done today, Or I want this or that, and i am going to get this or that. We should not be boasting at all. There are even somethings that God does for you that you need to keep between you and the Lord. The tongue is not able to be tamed, yet we must try to watch what we say. It is so imparative.

As far as blessings and cursings, have you ever noticed when you are sick and someone ask how are you today, you say oh i am sooooooooo sick. and you really make yourself feel worse. I have done it, been there. We need to be positive, Keep our eyes set upon the calling that is set before us. If we would worry about ourselves more, then we would not have time to worry and get in our friends or neighbors business.

I am seeing too many times in the church that people are hurting one another with gossip, backbiting and discord. IF WE ARE A CHRISTIAN, IT IS TIME TO STOP THIS. I am tired of hearing, my sinner friends aren't like this, well lets wake up and read the word and do what God wants us to do and bear the fruits of the spirit.

As you pray, ask the Lord to show you how to keep your mouth shut and how to open it when he wants you to. You will see a big difference that you did not even realize needed to take place.